Supporting Research Continuity at VP&S
Dear VP&S colleagues,
As previously announced, VP&S and the University are implementing efforts to help support research continuity as we navigate the current challenging federal research environment and an uncertain future landscape. We would like to provide more detail on funding and the Presidential Task Force on Columbia’s Research Mission, which is helping to guide long-term strategic planning. This information is also available on the VP&S website, here.
We want first to express our gratitude for the work that each of you has done to advance lifesaving research, and for your continued dedication amid difficult circumstances. This has been a devastating time for our community. Please know that we are working diligently with University leaders, our department chairs, and other members of leadership to preserve our research portfolio as much as we possibly can.
Graduate education
Over the next year, the University will contribute funds to schools, including VP&S, to support commitments to current graduate students and post-doctoral fellows on terminated training grants and fellowships, an area that has been severely impacted by terminations of federal support. PIs do not need to apply for these resources. Any questions about predoctoral trainees should be directed to the Office of Graduate Affairs at biomedicalsciences@cumc.columbia.edu. Questions about postdoctoral training grant funding may be directed to the Office of for Research at ps-officeforresearch@cumc.columbia.edu.
Stabilization funding
The University and NewYork-Presbyterian have jointly created a research stabilization fund that is focused on the Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons. VP&S researchers can apply for bridge support to bring projects to completion, explore alternative funding, or pivot their projects in new directions. These funds are not intended to replace federal support.
A separate fund will provide support to other schools at Columbia, with special attention to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows whose training grants have been affected.
All VP&S PIs are eligible to apply to the VP&S-focused research stabilization fund. This fund is also designated to support scientific research cores; core directors, in collaboration with scientific directors, are eligible to apply to these funds. This application process will be managed by the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research (EVPR), with decisions on fund allocation to be made by VP&S leadership and the school’s Research Stabilization Committee. All VP&S applicants must confirm they have informed their department chair of their intent to apply. Core directors should contact the VP&S Office for Research for guidance about their applications at ps-officeforresearch@cumc.columbia.edu.
Round 1 of applications are due 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 (award date July 15, 2025); the second round of applications are due by 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 (award date October 15, 2025). Future rounds may be announced.
PIs with terminated awards, with pending noncompeting renewals, or with currently funded grants are encouraged to apply. Only PIs with a full-time appointment in a PI-eligible position may apply and only one application per PI is permitted. Requests may be up to $100,000 to be spent over a maximum of 12 months, to support research personnel (students, postdocs, staff), and other necessary research needs including equipment, materials, publication costs or services. No funding can go to support collaborators external to Columbia University. Review criteria include:
- Clear justification of proposed use of funds.
- Feasibility to achieve proposed research outcomes.
- Potential for long-term funding through federal or non-federal sources.
More information on the stabilization funds is available on the EVPR website. Applications must be submitted on the InfoReady Review site at:
https://columbia.infoready4.com/#freeformCompetitionDetail/1978948
Long-term strategic planning
Columbia has also created a Presidential Task Force on Columbia’s Research Mission to provide guidance on strategic planning, financial forecasting; developing sustainable alternative funding models; aligning school-based efforts; and reenvisioning our research footprint in the face of long-term shifts in the federal landscape.
The task force is co-chaired by and Jim McKiernan, acting CEO of CUIMC and interim dean of the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and Provost Angela V. Olinto. CUIMC representatives are Lorraine Frazier, dean, Columbia Nursing School; Ali G. Gharavi, chair, Department of Medicine; Stavros Lomvardas, Roy and Diana Vagelos chair, department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and interim vice-dean of Basic Science Research; Kathleen Sikkema, chair of the Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health; and Wil McKoy, senior vice president, chief financial officer, and interim chief operating officer, CUIMC.
We thank for your patience, fortitude, and steadfast commitment to advancing our vital research. We will continue to share updates and resources as we weather this moment together.
Sincerely,
Ali G. Gharavi, MD
Chair, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Stavros Lomvardas, PhD
Interim Vice Dean for Basic Science Research, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
James McKiernan, MD
Interim Dean of the Faculties of Health Sciences and the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Acting Executive Vice President for Health and Biomedical Sciences, Columbia University
CEO, ColumbiaDoctors